Flexible meter music system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method are disclosed and described for changing the meter of songs being played on a replay device. This system and method may be implemented in a replay device, such as a MP3 player, for use by an exerciser so that the exerciser may maintain a predetermined pace during an exercise period based on the meter of the songs being played. The system and method also provide an ability to vary the pace during the exercise period to maintain a physiological condition at a substantially constant level

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The system and method of the present invention is related to systems and method the reproduce music for listening. More specifically, the present invention is related to systems and methods that are used by listener during periods while they are exercising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When many people exercise, in order to not be bored and keep motivated, they listen to music. In part, they listen to the music for entertainment; however, there is another purpose for listening to music, which is to use it to establish and maintain the cadence or pace of your walking, jogging, or running. People go about selecting songs to which to listen during walking, jogging, or running by genre preference, and the beat for the songs to maintain the cadence or pace to meet their desired exercise goals. The exercise activity may take place outdoors or indoors. Further, an individual can use a treadmill, elliptical, or other similar exercise equipment for participating in these exercises. Music of this type may be used for any type of activity during which a cadence or pace is helpful.

Exercise goals vary depending on the person. Some individuals have the goal of achieving a certain distance in an exercise period. Others seem to exercise for a fixed period of time. Still others combine the two and achieve a certain distance in a predetermined period of time. There still even others who seek to exercise for a period of time while maintaining their heart rate within a fixed range.

Many times, an exerciser's personal music is downloaded onto some type of replay device, e.g., a MP3 player. The exerciser connects this device to his/her body, for example, by an arm strap, and uses earphones or ear buds to listen to the music. This convenient method of attaching music to the exerciser makes it very mobile to travel with the exerciser wherever he or she may go.

One of the main problems with the use of music for exercising is the inability to control the meter of the music so that it will exactly or substantially match the desired pace the exerciser desires. This pace will be based on the stride length of the exerciser, and that exerciser's desired distance to be achieved in a specific period of time. For example, if a exerciser had a stride length of three (3) feet and he wanted to walk a mile in 15 minutes, the determination of the number of steps or beats required to achieve this exercise goal in steps per minute would be according to the following expression: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {\frac{{{Distance}\left( {{ft}.} \right)}\quad}{{{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \times {{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)}} = \frac{{5280\quad{{ft}.}}\quad}{{3\quad{{ft}.} \times 15\quad{\min.}}\quad}} \\ {= {117.33\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (1) \end{matrix}$

From the equation above, the exerciser would be required to walk at a pace of approximately two steps per second to reach the exercise goal. If this exerciser listened to music while walking, it may make it easier to exercise. Further, if the music s/he was listening to had beat or meter to match this pace it would be even easier.

There is a different phenomenon when the exercise is on a treadmill and listens to music to keep pace to achieve a certain exercise goal. The treadmill can be set for a specific distance and time so the exerciser knows that if he stays on the treadmill for that period of time, the goal will be achieve regardless of the length of the exerciser's stride. However, it the exerciser listens to music to aid in keeping pace and overcoming the boring monotony of the walking or jogging for a number of miles, including treadmill programs that vary the pace during the exercise period, the exerciser tends to adjust his or her stride length to match the beat of the music. Therefore, for some songs the stride is short and fast and for others it is longer and slower. Because of this, the typical result is that if the exerciser is listening to a song with the right beat for the desired pace of walking or jogging, and it ends, and the next song has a beat that is either too fast or slow, the exerciser will search for another song with the right beat or keep repeating the song with the right beat. Both of these solutions are not desirable.

The problem with using the wide variety of music that is available for exercising is that the beat or meter of a large number of songs is that they tend not match the desired pace the exerciser requires to meet their specific exercise goal. The result is that the exerciser on a number of occasions will discard a song because its beat or meter is simply too fast or slow compared to the desired pace. Moreover, it is frustrating for the exerciser to continually hunt for songs with the right beat or meter while exercising. It is desirable, therefore, to have a system that will find and then adjust the music to the desired pace for the exerciser to achieve his/her goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a flexible music meter system and method that maybe used, for example, by an exerciser for meeting an exercise goal. According to the system and method of the present invention, the songs that are stored on the replay device, such as an MP3 player, each includes with it storage its meter. This meter may be described in any conventional manner, such as beats per minute. The exerciser desiring a specific pace would input that pace to the replay device. When the exerciser begins listening to the music during the exercise period, the replay device will select songs for replay that have the desired meter by comparing the desired pace with the stored meter for the song.

In order to increase the number and variety of songs that are available for replay during the exercise period, the system and method has the ability to select songs that have a meter in a predetermined range of the desired pace and then adjust the meter of the selected song to match the pace desired by the exerciser. The adjustment of the meter of the songs is such that there will not be significant distortion in the quality of the song which would discourage the use of the system. Therefore, as the replay device is comparing songs for the purpose of selection for replay, it will select songs that have (1) a stored meter that matches the desired pace input by the exerciser and (2) a stored meter that is within a percentage of matching the pace input by the exerciser. The percentage may be input to the replay device by the exerciser or it may a default percentage for the device that cannot be changed by the exerciser or requires other methods to adjust this percentage.

The system and method of the present invention also has the ability to variably adjust the meter of songs being replayed on the replay device after they have been selected to match the changing pace of the operation of exercise equipment that is within a predetermined range. This range will be based, for example, on the amount of variance either increasing or decreasing of the meter before there is significant distortion in the quality of the song being replayed.

In this further embodiment, the system of the present invention works cooperatively with a piece of exercise equipment to control the meter of the songs being replayed by the replay device. According to this embodiment, the piece of will transmit a signal based on its pace, e.g., a treadmill operating at 4 miles per hour, to the replay device. The replay device that incorporates the system of the present invention will receive this signal and select songs consistent with this meter. The changing of the operation speed, for example, of the treadmill may be based on a physiological measurement, such as heart rate. The replay device that incorporates the present invention will select songs based on the meter determination. There will be songs that are selected that have the meter determined by the physiological measurement that controls the speed, for example, of the treadmill.

The replay device that incorporates the system of the present invention includes a control that permits the exerciser to change the pace goal during the exercise period. Thus, the exerciser may begin exercising at one pace and change to a faster or slower pace by use of this control. The replay device will select songs with the correct meter to match the pace or with a meter that is within a predetermined percentage of that meter.

The system and method of the present invention will also permit programming of the replay device to use different paces during the exercise period. The replay device will select songs based on this programming to match the pace schedule. This would include songs with a meter that is within a predetermined meter of this pace.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enables a music replay system to select songs for replay that have a meter that matches a desired pace for an exerciser to achieve an exercise goal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enables a music replay device to select songs for replay that have a meter that matches a predetermined percentage a desired pace for an exerciser to achieve an exercise goal during the exercise period.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that will variable adjust the meter of songs after selection for replay to match the pace of an exercise device that adjusts its speed based on physiological measurement of the exerciser.

These and other objects will be disclosed and described in the remainder of the claims with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative system that incorporates the system and method of the present invention.

FIG. 2A shows certain input controls for input of exerciser data for operation of the system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a drop down screen display menu available to user for inputting User Information according to the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a drop down screen display menu for the exerciser to select the speed at which to exercise.

FIG. 2D is a drop down screen display menu for selection where the exerciser will be exercising.

FIG. 2E is a drop down screen display menu for selecting the distance in miles (Kms) to be covered during the exercise period.

FIG. 2F is a drop down screen display menu for selecting the tenths of miles (Kms) to be added to the selection made at FIG. 2E.

FIG. 2G is a drop down screen display menu for selecting the stride length of the exerciser.

FIG. 2H is a drop down screen display menu for selecting the time of the exercise period.

FIG. 2I is a drop down screen display menu for selecting the Flex % for songs to be captured for replay.

FIG. 2J is a first drop down screen display for selecting a programmed pace.

FIG. 2K is a second drop down screen display for selecting a programmed pace.

FIG. 3 is a representative screen display for a computer that either stores the songs for download to a MP3 player or facilitates the download of the songs from over the global communications network such and the Internet or the Worldwide Web.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a flow diagram for an embodiment of the operation of system of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a flow diagram for another embodiment of the operation of the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show the flow diagram for a third embodiment of the operation of the system of the present invention.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C show the flow diagram for a variation of the third embodiment of the operation of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention is a system and method for changing the meter of songs being played on a replay device. The system and method of the present invention may be implemented in a replay device, such as a MP3 player, for use by an exerciser so that the exerciser may maintain a predetermined pace during an exercise period based on the meter of the songs being played.

According to an embodiment of the system a method of the present invention, the replay device that is implemented with the present invention will have information about the meter of one or more songs stored on it. The replay device also will have information input to it about certain characteristics of the exerciser that will be user to calculate the steps per minute to which the meter of songs will be compared and then adjusted.

The replay device that implements the present invention will select songs for replay that have the meter for the desired pace for the exerciser to achieve a predetermined exercise goal. The replay device of the present invention also will select songs that have a meter within a certain percentage of the desired pace.

Referring to FIG. 1, generally at 100, music replay device 102 is shown. This replay device preferably is a MP-3 player. Replay device 102 is shown with display screen 104 and control section 106. The display screen may be used to display information for the purpose of selecting songs for replay and inputting data about the exerciser for use in implementing the operation of the present invention for the exerciser's use. Control section 106 will be discussed in greater detail with regard to FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 also shows headphones 108 that are connected to replay device 102 by line 112 and connector 110. The headphone could be replaced by ear buds or the MP3 player could be attached to a speaker system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2A, generally at 200, respectively, control section 106 is shown in greater detail. Control section 106 is shown with circular control 202, and buttons 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214. The circular control is activated by the user rotating a finger or thumb in circular motion on surface 216. The menus of options that are available to the user for the purpose of song replay, inputting user information, and inputting user controls for implementing the present invention are displayed by activation through surface 216 and the buttons 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214.

Only by way of example, button 204 may be for returning to the previous song, button 206 may be the ON/OFF button, button 208 may be for activating the backlight for a default period of time, button 210 may be for turning ON and OFF the flexible meter mode of operation, button 212 may be for changing the pace during an exercise period, and button 214 may be for advancing to the next song. Although, six buttons are shown and described, it is understood that more or less than six buttons may be used and still be within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2B, generally at 230, the screen display menu is shown for inputting user information. Screen display menu 230 permits the user to input information that will determine the songs that will be selected based on their meter. As shown, the first input at 232 is the “Desired Pace” that the exerciser desires to walk, jog, or run. When the user selects this item, another drop down menu is displayed that would have a list of speeds, for example, from 0.5 mph to 15 mph. This drop down menu is shown at FIG. 2C at 250. The user would select one to use during his or her exercise period. It is understood that other methods of displaying the pace (speed) for the user to select. For example, it could in terms of minutes per mile, e.g., 15 minutes per mile (which equates to 4 mph). After the selection is made, the exerciser is returned o the display screen at FIG. 2B.

The second item at 234 is the desired distance for the exercise period. When this is selected, there will be the drop down menu at 260 at FIG. 2D. This menu will have a first selection that states “Treadmill” at 262. If this item is selected, the system will go the next item of the main menu in FIG. 2B “Stride Length” at 236 because a treadmill will run at the speed and time programmed by the exerciser, which will determine the distance. It is also not necessary because the exerciser will keep up with the treadmill belt speed for the desired time period.

If a treadmill is not being used, then it will be necessary to provide the desired distance for exercising. This accomplished by selecting the item below “Treadmill” which is “Distance” at 264. This opens the drop down menu at 270 of FIG. 2E that has a list of distances in miles. For example, it may list miles 1-100 and when one of the miles is selected, it will open another drop down menu at 280 of FIG. 2F that lists tenths of a mile. This list includes 0-9. The user will select from this list and it will be added to the mile number selected to provide the distance. For example, after this process, the total distance may be 4.5 miles. It is understood the kilometers may be used instead of miles and still be within the scope of the present invention.

After the distance is selected, the user will be returned to the main menu at 230 at FIG. 2B. The next item of user information to be entered is the stride length at 236. When stride length is selected, there will be drop down menu 290 at FIG. 2G. This menu will have lengths that may be selected. These are displayed in feet (or meters) on the left (see 292) and inches on the right (see 294) of a single stride. Once this is done, the exerciser will be returned to main menu at 230. It is understood the exerciser's stride may be measured under the metric system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The next item on main menu 230 is the “Desired Exercise Time” at 238. This can apply if the exerciser is using a treadmill or not using a piece of exercise equipment. If the exerciser is not using a piece of exercise equipment, in all likelihood, s/he has some idea about the route and the time to run that route. S/he also will intend to end up at the location where s/he began.

The drop down menu that will appear when Desired Exercise Time at 238 is selected is shown at FIG. 2H at 300. This menu will have, for example, a selection of hours and 15-minute increments. Using this screen, the exerciser could, for example, choose to exercise for 1 hour, 1 hour and 30, minutes or just 30 minutes. Once this selection is made, the exerciser will be returned to the User Information screen at FIG. 2B.

Once the Desired Exercise time is entered the replay device or computer from which the songs and information are down loaded to the replay device will calculate the steps per minute according to the exercisers desired pace. This calculation will be discussed with respect to Expression (2).

The next item on the list is the Flex % at 240. The selection of the Flex % will send you to the drop down menu at FIG. 21. The Flex % is selected to provide a range for the songs that the system of the present invention will capture above and below the desired pace that the exerciser programs. For example, if the exerciser has a stride length 3½ feet and desires to walk at a pace of 4 mph for an hour, the measured meter of the songs that exactly meet this user information is set forth by the following Expression: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{21120\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {3.5\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {100.57\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (2) \end{matrix}$

If the Flex %, for example, is 7%, the system will capture songs with meters in the range of from 93.53-107.61 beats per minute. In capturing these songs, the system will automatically adjust the meter of these songs to match the 100.57-meter pace that the exerciser desires to meet his or her exercise goal. In this way, the exerciser will not have to keep changing pace or stride length to meet the meter of the songs that play.

FIG. 21, generally at 310, shows the drop down menu that will appear when the Flex % icon 240 is selected in the User Information menu at 230 in FIG. 2B. The drop down menu at 310 in FIG. 21 provides flex percentages from 3%-10%. These percentages are just examples and others may be used. The range of percentages that are provided will be used to select and adjust the meter of songs that are within the range but will not distort the song to the extent that it will be unpleasant for the exerciser to listen to it. Therefore, each exerciser will determine what flex % to use for his or her subjective determination of what level of distortion is fine for them individually.

FIG. 21 also has one further selection that an exerciser may choose after selecting the Flex %. This is if the exerciser would like to select the Flex % but does not desire to change the meter of the songs within the flex range to match his or her preferred pace. In this case, the exerciser will change his or her pace or stride just a small amount to match the meter of the songs selected in the flex range. If this latter item is not selected, the system will automatically adjust the meter of any songs selected in the Flex % range.

Again referring to FIG. 2B, the final item on the drop down menu is Programmed Pace at 242. This icon is for use by an exerciser who would purposefully like to perform his or her exercise time at different paces. For example, the exerciser desires to exercise for an hour but would like to go at a pace of 3 mph for the first 15 mins., 5 mph for the next 30 mins., and 4 mph for the last 15 mins. Further, the exerciser's stride is 4 feet. Finally, the exerciser has selected a Flex % of 5%. Thus, the exerciser's steps per minute for this exercise period would be according to Table 1 below: Flex Range Speed Steps/Min. Time with 5% Flex % Distance 3 mph 66 15 min. 62.7-69.3 0.75 miles 5 mph 110 30 min. 104.5-115.5 2.5 miles 4 mph 88 15 min. 83.6-92.4 1 mile

From the table above, it is seen that for the first 15 minutes of the exercise period, the exerciser will capture songs in the 62.7-69.3 meter range, for the next 30 minutes in the 104.5-115.5 meter range, and for the final 15 minutes in the 83.6-92.4 meter range. Further, unless the exerciser has selected not to adjust the meter of the selected songs in the drop down menu shown in FIG. 2I, the selected songs in the various ranges will be adjusted to desired pace of the exerciser. The Programmed Pace option at 242 will be discussed in more detail with respect to FIGS. 2J and 2K.

Referring to FIG. 3, generally at 350, a representative screen display is shown for a laptop or desktop computer either store songs for down loading to a MP3 player or facilitates the download of songs from over a global communications network, such as the Internet or the Worldwide Web. Screen display 356 is representative of the screen that would be found on laptop computer 352 and desktop computer 354. When the application for controlling the downloading and replaying song is opened, screen display 356 will display the songs that the exerciser currently has either downloaded, for example, over the Internet 358 from a song library, such as library 360, or saved from compact disks (“CDs”) the exerciser purchased. These songs will be listed as shown at 362 and there will be a set of controls 364 for replay through laptop 352 or desktop 354. The controls will include controls for downloading the stored songs to a replay device, such as MP3 player 102 (FIG. 1). When information relating the each song is downloaded or stored, one of the fields will be the meter of the song. Since many songs may have different meters for different parts of a song, the meter that is listed will be the meter that pertains to the largest percentage of the song.

Laptop computer 352 and desktop computer 354 that have the present invention loaded on it can be used for inputting the User Information that is shown at 230 in FIG. 2B. Through such a screen, the exerciser can input all of the information that is provided at FIGS. 2C-2I. The laptop or desktop will have a similar set of drop down screens as are shown at FIGS. 2C-2I for this purpose. Once the information is input on the laptop or desktop, it may be downloaded to the MP3 player that has the system and method implemented on it so that the present invention may be used during exercise periods. It is also understood that the laptop or desktop may have the complete system and method o the present invention loaded on it or just the portion necessary for it to receive the User Information, process it, and download the results to the MP3 player that will be used during exercise periods. Both are in the scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a flow diagram for a system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system and method according to these Figures with be one in which the system and methods are incorporated in a replay device, such as an MP3 player. Referring to FIG. 4A, shown generally at 400, this Figure is associated with the Input User Information portion of the system and method, which is shown at 401. In this portion of the system and method, the system user or exerciser will provide (or input) the information necessary for the replay device to effect the altering on the meter of the songs that are selected for replay to match the exerciser's desired pace.

To begin operation of the system and method of the present invention, the exercise will activate START at 402. This will cause the opening of User Information drop down menu 230 that is shown at FIG. 2B.

In FIG. 4A, the next step of the method is Input User Speed at 404. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2C. The exerciser will select Desired Pace at 232 in FIG. 2B, which will then provide drop down screen 250 in FIG. 2C. The exerciser will select the desired speed s/he wishes to exercise for the exercise period, e.g., 4 mph. As indicated in the FIG. 2C, the speed could be in kilometers per hour and still be within the scope of the present invention. Once the speed is selected, the system and method of the present invention will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

According to the system and method of the present invention, the next step in FIG. 4A is to determine whether the exerciser is using a treadmill or the like at 406 and input the distance that the exerciser intends to cover during the exercise period at 408 if a treadmill is not being used. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Distance icon at 234, which will cause the opening of drop down menu 260 in FIG. 2D. The exerciser must select whether s/he is using at treadmill. If a treadmill is being used, Treadmill icon 262 selected and the system and method will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B bypassing the inputting of the distance at 408 in FIG. 4A. It is not necessary to select a distance because once a speed is selected and a time is later selected, the product of the multiplication of these two terms will provide the distance for the exercise period since the treadmill will run at the desired speed for the desired period of time. If for some reason, the treadmill does not operate as just described, then the exerciser will not select treadmill but will, as in all other typical situations, select the Distance icon at 264 in FIG. 2D. This will mean that at 406 in FIG. 4A, the exerciser indicates “No” which will direct s/he to input the distance for the exercise period at 408. This will involve FIGS. 2E and 2F.

When the Distance icon at 262 in FIG. 2D is selected, it will open drop down menu 270 in FIG. 2E. This drop down menu has listed from 0-100 miles. As before, this could be listed in kilometers and still be within the scope of the present invention. The exerciser will select the number of miles to be covered during the exercise period, e.g., 4 miles. After this selection, the system, and method will open drop down menu 280 in FIG. 2F. Here, the exerciser will select the tenths of a mile to be added to the selection at drop down menu 270 in FIG. 2E. For example, the exercise could select “0” tenths. After the tenths are selected, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step of the system and method of the present invention in FIG. 4A is inputting the stride length at 410. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2G.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Stride Length icon at 236. This will cause the opening of the Stride Length drop down menu at 290 in FIG. 2G. Once opened, the exerciser will select his/her stride length in feet and inches. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B. It is understood that instead of the stride length being measured in feet and inches it can be measured according to the metric system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The next step according to the system and method of the present invention is inputting the desired exercise time at 412 in FIG. 4A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2H.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Input Desired Exercise Time icon at 238. This will cause the opening of the “Time” drop down menu at 300 in FIG. 2H. The exerciser will select the time for the exercise period by selecting the hours and minutes for exercising. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step of the present invention is at 414 in FIG. 4A, which is calculating the number of steps per minute that are needed for the exerciser to meet his/her exercise goal. If a treadmill is being used, the steps per minute are determined according to Expression (2), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{21120\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {88\quad{Steps}\text{/}{\min.}}} \end{matrix} & (2) \end{matrix}$

If a treadmill is not being used, the steps per minute are calculated according to Expression (1), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {\frac{{{Distance}\left( {{ft}.} \right)}\quad}{{{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \times {{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)}} = \frac{{4\left( {5280\quad{{ft}.}} \right)}\quad}{{4.0\quad{{ft}.} \times 60\quad{\min.}}\quad}} \\ {= {88\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (1) \end{matrix}$

As is seen from these Expressions, the same result in steps per minute will be calculated if each of the Expressions is used. The difference is that the starting information for each is different.

Following the calculation of the steps per minute, according to the system and method of the present invention, the flex % is input at 416 in FIG. 4A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2I. Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Flex % icon at 240. This will cause the opening of the Flex % drop down menu at 310 in FIG. 2I. Once opened, the exerciser will select the flex percentage that will form the flex % range within which the system and method will capture songs for replay. After making this selection, the system and method will not automatically return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B until s/he directs because there is an additional decision to be made regarding whether the exerciser wishes to adjust the meter of the songs selected within the flex % range to the calculated steps per minute value calculated at step 414.

Again referring to FIG. 2I at 310, the exerciser may in addition select the icon titled “Select but No Adjust” on drop down menu 310. This will result in songs being selected within the flex percentage range but they will not have their meters adjusted to the steps per minute calculated at step 414 in FIG. 4A. This will permit a small amount of variance in the beats per minute for the various songs that are replayed. After the decision is made with regard to Select but No Adjust icon, the exerciser will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 of FIG. 2B.

The next step, according to FIG. 4A, is the calculation of the flex % range at 418 for capture of songs for replay. This is done by multiplying the flex percentage selected at step 416 of FIG. 4A times the steps per minute calculated at step 414 of this Figure. An example is according to the following Expression: Flex %×Steps/min.=5%×88Steps/min.=4.4Steps  (3)

After the flex amount is determined, then this amount is added to and subtracted from the steps per minute value calculated at step 414 of FIG. 4A. From the calculation at Expression (3), the flex percentage range is 83.6-92.4 steps. This will be the meter range within which songs will be captured for replay.

Referring to FIG. 4A at 420 and 422, the exerciser will decide if s/he desires a programmed pace for the exercise period. If this is desired, the exerciser would input the pace s/he desires for different portions of the exercise period. If the exerciser decides that s/he does not want a programmed pace, the system and method will go to FIG. 4B. If programmed pace is desired, the system goes to 422 for the input and calculation of the programmed pace. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2J, and 2K.

Referring to FIG. 2B, if the exerciser does not desire to have programmed pace for the exercise period, s/he will close the User Information drop down menu because the system and method of the present invention is now ready to select and replay songs with a meter in the flex percentage range and adjust (if desired) the meter of these songs to the exerciser's desired pace.

If the exerciser wishes to have a programmed pace, s/he will select the Programmed Pace icon at 242 of FIG. 2B. This will cause the opening of the Programmed Pace drop down menu at 330 in FIG. 2J. Once opened, the exerciser will first insert the number of programmed pace sections s/he desires during the period at 332. Then, the exerciser will insert the total exercise time at 334. Once both of these entries are made, the exerciser will then go to the Programmed Pace drop down menu at 338 in FIG. 2K. This drop down menu will display the number of sections at 340 provided in the previous drop down menu and the exerciser will fill in the information for pace at 342 and time at 344 for each displayed section. The exerciser will also fill in the total time at 346 that has been input above. As indicated at 348, the total time at 346 must match the total exercise time or the system and method will not proceed. If they do match, the system and method will calculate the steps/minute and the flex percentage range for each of the sections. An example for an exerciser with a 4 foot stride, a Flex % of 5%, a total distance of 4 miles, and a exercise time of 60 minutes is the following, which is a repeat of Table 1 above: Flex Range Speed Steps/Min. Time with 5% Flex % Distance 3 mph 66 15 min. 62.7-69.3 0.75 miles 5 mph 110 30 min. 104.5-115.5 2.5 miles 4 mph 88 15 min. 83.6-92.4 1 mile

The information in the Table above will be used by the replay device for the capture of the songs during the exercise period.

Referring to FIG. 4B, generally at 430, the replay device will use information provided and calculated according to FIG. 4A to replay songs at the desired exercise pace. As shown at 432, FIG. 4B is the Replay portion of the system and method of the present invention. At 434 of FIG. 4B, the replay device that includes the system and method of the present invention will search for the first song in the song library that has a meter in the flex percentage range. Then at 436, the system and method of the present invention will adjust the meter of the selected song to the desired exercise pace input by the exerciser unless the exerciser has indicated at FIG. 2I not to adjust the meter of the song. At 438, the replay device will now replay the selected song with the adjusted meter.

Once the song has been played, the system and method will determine at 440 if the song just played was the last in the song library with a meter that was in the flex % range. If the answer is “No,” the system and method will proceed to step 442 where the system and method will repeat steps 434, 436, 438, and 440 until the end of the exercise period. When the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 446.

If at 440, it is the last song of the song library that has a meter within the flex % range during the exercise period but the period is not over, the system and method will proceed to step 444. This will cause the system and method the repeat steps 434, 436, 438, 440, and 442 starting at the beginning of the song library. Again, once the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 446.

FIGS. 5A and 5B at 500 and 530, respectively, show another embodiment of the system and method of the present invention. This system and method is similar to the system and method shown by FIGS. 4A and 4B, except that the User Information is input to a computer, such as laptop 352 (FIG. 3) or desk top 354 (FIG. 3), which will perform the calculations. The User Information and calculated values are then down loaded to the replay device for replay control. This second embodiment will require less memory and applications to be incorporated in the replay device. The following will describe the operation of the system and method of the present invention when the second embodiment is used.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a flow diagram for a system and method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system and method according to these Figures with be one in which the system and method are incorporated in whole or in part in a laptop or desk top computer and replay device, such as an MP3 player. Referring to FIG. 5A, shown generally at 500, this Figure is associated with the Input User Information portion of the system and method, which is shown at 501. This user information is input to and processed by the laptop or desktop computer. In this portion of the system and method, the system user or exerciser will provide (or input) the information necessary for the replay device to effect the altering on the meter of the songs that are selected for replay to match the exerciser's desired pace.

To begin operation of the system and method of the present invention, the exercise will activate START at 502. This will cause the opening of User Information drop down menu 230 that is shown at FIG. 2B.

In FIG. 5A, the next step of the method is Input User Speed at 504. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2C. The exerciser will select Desired Pace at 232 in Figure 2B, which will then provide drop down screen 250 in FIG. 2C. The exerciser will select the desired speed s/he wishes to exercise for the exercise period, e.g., 4 mph. As indicated in the FIG. 2C, the speed could be in kilometers per hour and still be within the scope of the present invention. Once the speed is selected, the system and method of the present invention will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

According to the system and method of the present invention, the next step in FIG. 5A is to determine whether the exerciser is using a treadmill or the like at 506 and input the distance that the exerciser intends to cover during the exercise period at 508 if a treadmill is not being used. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Distance icon at 234, which will cause the opening of drop down menu 260 in FIG. 2D. The exerciser must select whether s/he is using at treadmill. If a treadmill is being used, Treadmill icon 262 selected and the system and method will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B bypassing the inputting of the distance at 508 in FIG. 5A. It is not necessary to select a distance because once a speed is selected and a time is later selected, the product of the multiplication of these two terms will provide the distance for the exercise period since the treadmill will run at the desired speed for the desired period of time. If for some reason, the treadmill does not operate as just described, then the exerciser will not select treadmill but will, as in all other typical situations, select the Distance icon at 264 in FIG. 2D. This will mean that at 506 in FIG. 5A, the exerciser indicates “No” which will direct s/he to input the distance for the exercise period at 508. This will involve FIGS. 2E and 2F.

When the Distance icon at 262 in FIG. 2D is selected, it will open drop down menu 270 in FIG. 2E. This drop down menu has listed from 0-100 miles. As before, this could be listed in kilometers and still be within the scope of the present invention. The exerciser will select the number of miles to be covered during the exercise period, e.g., 4 miles. After this selection, the system, and method will open drop down menu 280 in FIG. 2F. Here, the exerciser will input the tenths of a mile to be added to the selection at drop down menu 270 in FIG. 2E. For example, the exercise could select “3” tenths. After the tenths are selected, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step of the system and method of the present invention in FIG. 5A is inputting the stride length at 510. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2G.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Stride Length icon at 236. This will cause the opening of the Stride Length drop down menu at 290 in FIG. 2G. Once opened, the exerciser will select his/her stride length in feet and inches. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B. It is understood that instead of the stride length being measured in feet and inches it can be measured according to the metric system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The next step according to the system and method of the present invention is inputting the desired exercise time at 512 in FIG. 5A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2H.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Input Desired Exercise Time icon at 238. This will cause the opening of the Time drop down menu at 300 in FIG. 2H. The exerciser will select the time for the exercise period by selecting the hours and minutes for exercising. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step in the present invention is at 514 in FIG. 5A, which is calculating the number of steps per minute that are needed for the exerciser to meet his/her exercise goal. If a treadmill is being used, the steps per minute are determined according to Expression (2), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{21120\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {88\quad{Steps}\text{/}{\min.}}} \end{matrix} & (2) \end{matrix}$

If a treadmill is not being used, the steps per minute are determined according to Expression (1), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {\frac{{{Distance}\left( {{ft}.} \right)}\quad}{{{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \times {{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)}} = \frac{{4\left( {5280\quad{{ft}.}} \right)}\quad}{{4.0\quad{{ft}.} \times 60\quad{\min.}}\quad}} \\ {= {88\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (1) \end{matrix}$

As is seen from these Expressions, the same result in steps per minute will be calculated if each of the Expressions is used. The difference is that the starting information for each is different.

Following the calculation of the steps per minute, according to the system and method of the present invention, the flex % is input at 516 in FIG. 5A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2I. Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Flex % icon at 240. This will cause the opening of the Flex % drop down menu at 310 in FIG. 2I. Once opened, the exerciser will select the flex percentage that will form the flex % range within which the system and method will capture songs for replay. After making this selection, the system and method will not automatically return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B until s/he directs because there is an additional decision to make regarding whether the exerciser wishes to adjust the meter of the songs selected within the flex % range to the calculated steps per minute value calculated at step 514.

Again referring to FIG. 2I at 310, the exerciser may in addition select the icon titled “Select but No Adjust” on drop down menu 310. This will result in songs being selected within the flex % range but they will not have their meters adjusted to the steps per minute calculated at step 514 in FIG. 5A. This will permit a small amount of variance in the beats per minute for the various songs that are replayed. After the decision is made with regard to Select but No Adjust icon, the exerciser will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 of FIG. 2B.

The next step, according to FIG. 5A, is the calculation of the flex % range at 518 for capture of songs for replay. This is done by multiplying the flex percentage selected at step 516 of FIG. 5A times the steps per minute calculated at step 514. An example is according to the following: Flex%×Steps/min.=5%×88Steps/min.=4.4Steps  (3)

After the flex step amount is determined, then this amount is added and subtracted from the steps per minute value calculated at step 514 of FIG. 5A. From the calculation at Expression (3), the flex percentage range is 83.6-92.4 steps. This will be the meter range within which songs will be captured for replay.

Referring to FIG. 5A at 520 and 522, the exerciser will decide if s/he desires a programmed pace for the exercise period. If this is desired, the exerciser would input the pace s/he desires for different potions of the exercise period. If the exerciser decides that s/he does not want a programmed pace, the system and method will go to FIG. 4B. If programmed pace is desired, the system goes to 522 for the input and calculation of the programmed pace. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2J, and 2K.

Referring to FIG. 2B, if the exerciser does not desire to have programmed pace for the exercise period, s/he will close the User Information drop down menu because the system and method of the present invention is now ready to select and replay songs with a meter in the flex percentage range and adjust (if desired) the meter of these songs to the exerciser's desired pace.

If the exerciser wishes to have a programnmed pace, s/he will select the Programmed Pace icon at 242 of FIG. 2B. This will cause the opening of the Programmed Pace drop down menu at 330 in FIG. 2J. Once opened, the exerciser will first insert the number of programmed pace sections s/he desires during the period at 332. Then, the exerciser will insert the total exercise time at 334. Once both of these entries are made, the exerciser will then go to Programmed Pace drop down menu at 338 in FIG. 2K. This drop down menu will display the number of sections at 340 provided in the previous drop down menu and the exerciser will fill in the information for pace at 342 and time at 344 for each displayed section. The exerciser will also fill in the total time at 346 that has been input above. As indicated at 348, the total time at 346 must match the total exercise time or the system and method will not proceed. If they do match, the system and method will calculate the steps/minute and the flex percentage range for each of the sections. An example for an exerciser with a 4 foot stride, a Flex % of 5%, a total distance of 4 miles, and a exercise time of 60 minutes is the following, which is a repeat of Table 1 above: Flex Range Speed Steps/Min. Time with 5% Flex % Distance 3 mph 66 15 min. 62.7-69.3 0.75 miles 5 mph 110 30 min. 104.5-115.5 2.5 miles 4 mph 88 15 min. 83.6-92.4 1 mile

The information in the Table above will be used by the replay device for the capture of the songs during the exercise period.

At 524 in FIG. 5A, the exerciser by conventional means can download to the replay device at least the calculated steps per minute and the calculated flex percentage range. Other user information may be down loaded to the replay device if desired.

Referring to FIG. 5B, generally at 530, the replay device will use the user information downloaded from the laptop or desktop to replay songs at the desired exercise pace. As shown at 532, FIG. 5B is the Replay portion of the system and method of the present invention. At 534 of FIG. 5B, the replay device that includes the system and method of the present invention will search for the first song of the song library that has a meter in the flex percentage range. Then at 536, the system and method of the present invention will adjust the meter of the selected song to the desired exercise pace input by the exerciser unless the exerciser has indicated at FIG. 2I not to adjust the meter of the song. At 538, the replay device will now replay the selected song with the adjusted meter.

Once the song has been played, the system and method will determine at 540 if the song just played was the last in the song library with a meter that was in the flex % range. If the answer is “No,” the system and method will proceed to step 542 where the system and method will repeat steps 534, 536, 538, and 540 until the end of the exercise period. When the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 546.

If at 540, it is the last song of the song library that has a meter within the flex % range during the exercise period but the period is not over, the system and method will proceed to step 544. This will cause the system and method the repeat steps 534, 536, 538, 540, and 542 starting at the beginning of the song library. Again, once the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 546.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, another embodiment of the present invention will be descried. This embodiment will permit meter of the songs being replayed to change based on an exercise device, such as a treadmill, changing its operational speed according to measuring a physiological condition of the exerciser, such as the cardiac heart rate and transmitting the speed changes to the replay device that will use these changes in speed for song selection.

Besides a treadmill, any instrument that can measure a physiological condition and transmit a speed or pace based on the changes in the physiological condition, such a watch programmed for this purpose, is within the scope of the present invention. A watch or other device that can sense the physiological condition, such as cardiac heart rate, could be programmed to transmit a new pace signal to the replay device to change the meter of the songs it will be selecting to alter the meter of to maintain, for example, the cardiac heart rate of the exerciser at a predetermined level. This would be when an exercise device, such as a treadmill, is not being used and the exerciser may be jogging.

The method discussed in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C implement the varying speed embodiment after the exerciser has reached, for example, a cardiac heart beat goal during exercise, e.g., 133 beats per minute. Typically, the exercise device, which monitors the cardiac heart rate for its control, will vary the speed and elevation to maintain the exerciser's heart rate, in this case, at 133 beats per minute. However, it is understood that the system and method may be operated to vary the speed in this manner during the entire exercise period and not wait until the exerciser reached the cardiac heart rate goal.

Referring to FIG. 6A, shown generally at 600, this Figure is associated with the Input User Information portion of the system and method, which is shown at 601. This user information is input to and processed by the laptop or desktop computer, if the replay device is not used alone In this portion of the system and method, the system user or exerciser will provide (or input) the information necessary for the replay device to effect the altering on the meter of the songs that are selected for replay to match the exerciser's desired pace.

To begin operation of the system and method of the present invention, the exercise will activate START at 602. This will cause the opening of User Information drop down menu 230 that is shown at FIG. 2B.

In FIG. 6A, the next step of the method is Input Initial User Speed at 604. This is the speed that will be used until the varying speed is used based on the transmissions from the exercise equipment. Input of the initial speed will involve FIGS. 2B and 2C. The exerciser will select Desired Pace at 232 in FIG. 2B, which will then provide drop down screen 250 in FIG. 2C. The exerciser will select the desired initial speed s/he wishes to use until the varying speed is used based on the transmissions from the exercise equipment. As indicated in the FIG. 2C, the initial speed could be in kilometers per hour and still be within the scope of the present invention. Once the initial speed is selected, the system and method of the present invention will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

According to the system and method of the present invention, the next step in FIG. 6A is to determine whether the exerciser is using a treadmill or the like at 606 and input the distance that the exerciser intends to cover during the exercise period at 608 if a treadmill is not being used. Since a piece of exercise equipment is being used, the exerciser will select “Treadmill” according to the following method. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Distance icon at 234, which will cause the opening of drop down menu 260 in FIG. 2D. The exerciser will select the “Treadmill” icon at 262. The exerciser then will be returned to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B bypassing the inputting of the distance at 608 in FIG. 6A. It is not necessary to select a distance because once a speed is selected and a time is later selected, the product of the multiplication of these two terms will provide the distance for the exercise period since the treadmill will run at the desired speed for the desired period of time. Moreover, when the system enters the varying speed operation, the time of the exercise period will remain the same but the speed will vary, therefore, the distance will vary. Accordingly, inputting the distance will not be necessary and it will be bypassed according to this embodiment.

The next step of the system and method of the present invention in FIG. 6A is inputting the stride length at 610. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2G.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Stride Length icon at 236. This will cause the opening of the Stride Length drop down menu at 290 in FIG. 2G. Once opened, the exerciser will select his/her stride length in feet and inches. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B. It is understood that instead of the stride length being measured in feet and inches it can be measured according to the metric system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The next step according to the system and method of the present invention is inputting the desired exercise time at 612 in FIG. 6A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2H.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Input Desired Exercise Time icon at 238. This will cause the opening of the Time drop down menu at 300 in FIG. 2H. The exerciser will select the time for the exercise period by selecting the hours and minutes for exercising. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step in the present invention is at 614 in FIG. 6A, which is calculating the number of steps per minute that are needed for the exerciser to meet his/her exercise goal based on the initial speed and exercise time period. The steps per minute are determined according to Expression (2), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{21120\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {88\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (2) \end{matrix}$

Following the calculation of the steps per minute, according to the system and method of the present invention, the flex % is input at 616 in FIG. 6A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2I. Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Flex % icon at 240. This will cause the opening of the Flex % drop down menu at 310 in FIG. 2I. Once opened, the exerciser will select the flex percentage that will form the flex % range within which the system and method will capture songs for replay. In this embodiment, after making this selection, the system and method will automatically return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step, according to FIG. 6A, is the calculation of the initial flex % range at 618 for capture of songs for replay. This is done by multiplying the flex percentage selected at step 616 of FIG. 6A times the steps per minute calculated at step 614. An example is according to the following: Flex%×Steps/min.=5%×88Steps/min.=4.4Steps  (3)

After the flex step amount is determined, this amount is added and subtracted from the steps per minute value calculated at step 614 of FIG. 6A. From the calculation at Expression (3), the flex % range is 83.6-92.4 steps. This will be the meter range within which songs will be captured for replay.

Following this, the method according to FIG. 6A will cause the replay device to receive speed change transmissions from the piece of exercise equipment to maintain, for example, a substantially constant cardiac heart rate. Although, the physiological condition that has been described is monitoring the cardiac heart rate, other physiological characteristics could also be monitored to control the varying speed transmissions that are sent to the replay device and still be within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6B, generally at 630, the Replay portion at 632 of the system and method of the present invention is shown. The replay device will use the user information downloaded from the laptop or desktop, or input to the replay device, to replay songs at the desired initial exercise pace. At 634 of FIG. 6B, the replay device that includes the system and method of the present invention will search for the first song of the song library that has a meter in the flex percentage range. At 636, the system and method of the present invention will adjust the meter of the selected song to the desired exercise pace input by the exerciser unless the exerciser has indicated at FIG. 2I not to adjust the meter of the song. At 638, the replay device will now replay the selected song with the adjusted meter.

Once the song has been played, the system and method will determine at 640 if the song just played was the last in the song library with a meter that was in the flex % range. If the answer is “No,” the system and method will proceed to step 644 where there is a determination of whether the triggering event for starting varying speed operation has happened. By way of example only, the triggering event is whether the monitored cardiac heart rate level has reached the goal that is to be maintained, e.g., 133 beats per minute. If the answer is “No,” then the system and method at 646 will repeat steps 634, 636, 638, and 640 until the end of the exercise period or the triggering event takes place. When the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 648.

If at 640, it is the last song of the song library that has a meter within the flex % range during the exercise period but the period is not over, the system and method will proceed to step 642. This will cause the system and method the repeat steps 634, 636, 638, and 640 starting at the beginning of the song library. Again, once the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 648.

If at 644, the triggering event has occurred, the system and method of the present invention will proceed to FIG. 6C. Referring to FIG. 6C, generally at 650, varying the pace of song replay is shown at 652. Once the triggering event has occurred, the replay device is enabled to receive and act on the speed transmissions from the piece of exercise equipment.

The replay device will receive the transmissions at 654. These speed transmissions may be received according to programming of the replay device. They could be, for example, received but only acted on (i) at the end of each song, (ii) on a predetermine timed basis, or (iii) continuously. All of these and others are within the scope of the present invention. The predetermined and continuous methods will be discussed with regard to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.

An example of how varying the pace is carried out is demonstrated by the following:

If the speed transmissions indicate that the speed of the treadmill changed from 4 mph to 3.7 mph, the steps/ minute will change from 88 steps/min. to 81.4 steps/min. This is calculated at 656 according to the following: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{19536\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {81.4\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (3) \end{matrix}$ Where,

-   -   New Speed=3.7 mph.     -   Initial Time=60 minutes.     -   Stride Length =4 feet

At 658, the replay device will then compare the steps/min. calculated at step 614 with the steps/min. calculated at 656. If this number is the same, then the system and method of the present invention will return to FIG. 6B to select the next song or continue to replay the present song at the same meter. If, however, the two values do not match, then the system and method will go to 660 of FIG. 6C.

At 660, the replay device will change the operable step/min. value to the value calculated at 656. Then, at 662, the system and method of the present invention will calculate new flex % range based on the new steps/min. value. Following this, the system and method will use these new values to select songs from the song library. This process will be repeated for the remainder of the exercise period based on the transmissions from the piece of exercise equipment based on a physiological condition of the exerciser being measured.

Referring to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a variation of the embodiment shown and described with regard to FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C will be described. This embodiment will permit meter of the songs being replayed to change while being played based on an exercise device, such as a treadmill, changing its operational speed according to measuring a physiological condition of the exerciser, such as the cardiac heart rate and transmitting the speed changes to the replay device that will use these changes in speed for song selection and varying the meter of the song being played.

The method discussed in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C implement the varying speed embodiment after the exerciser has reached, for example, a cardiac heart beat goal during exercise, e.g., 130 beats per minute. As stated previously, typically, the exercise device, which monitors the cardiac heart rate for its control, will vary the speed and elevation to maintain the exerciser's heart rate, in this case, at 130 beats per minute. However, it is understood that the system and method may be operated to vary the speed in this manner during the entire exercise period and not wait until the exerciser reached the cardiac heart rate goal.

Referring to FIG. 7A, shown generally at 700, this Figure is associated with the Input User Information portion of the system and method, which is shown at 701. This user information is input to and processed by the laptop or desktop computer, if the replay device is not used alone In this portion of the system and method, the system user or exerciser will provide (or input) the information necessary for the replay device to effect the altering on the meter of the songs that are selected for replay to match the exerciser's desired pace.

To begin operation of the system and method of the present invention, the exercise will activate START at 702. This will cause the opening of User Information drop down menu 230 that is shown at FIG. 2B.

In FIG. 7A, the next step of the method is Input Initial User Speed at 704. This is the speed that will be used until the varying speed is used based on the transmissions from the exercise equipment. Input of the initial speed will involve FIGS. 2B and 2C. The exerciser will select Desired Pace at 232 in FIG. 2B, which will then provide drop down screen 250 in FIG. 2C. The exerciser will select the desired initial speed s/he wishes to use until the varying speed is used based on the transmissions from the exercise equipment. As indicated in the FIG. 2C, the initial speed could be in kilometers per hour and still be within the scope of the present invention. Once the initial speed is selected, the system and method of the present invention will return to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step in FIG. 7A is to determine whether the exerciser is using a treadmill or like device at 706 and input the distance that the exerciser intends to cover during the exercise period at 708 if a treadmill is not being used. Since a piece of exercise equipment is being used, the exerciser will select “Treadmill” according to the following method. This will involve FIGS. 2B, 2D, 2E, and 2F.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Distance icon at 234, which will cause the opening of drop down menu 260 in FIG. 2D. The exerciser will select the “Treadmill” icon at 262. The exerciser then will be returned to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B bypassing the inputting of the distance at 708 in FIG. 7A. It is not necessary to select a distance because once a speed is selected and a time is later selected, the product of the multiplication of these two terms will provide the distance for the exercise period since the treadmill will run at the desired speed for the desired period of time. Moreover, when the system enters the varying speed operation, the time of the exercise period will remain the same but the speed will vary, therefore, the distance will vary. Accordingly, inputting the distance will not be necessary and it will be bypassed according to this embodiment.

The next step of the system and method of the present invention in FIG. 7A is inputting the stride length at 610. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2G.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Stride Length icon at 236. This will cause the opening of the Stride Length drop down menu at 290 in FIG. 2G. Once opened, the exerciser will select his/her stride length in feet and inches. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B. It is understood that instead of the stride length being measured in feet and inches it can be measured according to the metric system and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The next step according to the system and method of the present invention is inputting the desired exercise time at 712 in FIG. 7A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2H.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Input Desired Exercise Time icon at 238. This will cause the opening of the Time drop down menu at 300 in FIG. 2H. The exerciser will select the time for the exercise period by selecting the hours and minutes for exercising. After making this selection, the system and method will return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step in the present invention is at 714 in FIG. 7A, which is calculating the number of steps per minute that are needed for the exerciser to meet his/her exercise goal based on the initial speed and exercise time period. The steps per minute are determined according to Expression (2), which is repeated below: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{21120\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {88\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (2) \end{matrix}$

Following the calculation of the steps per minute, according to the system and method of the present invention, the flex % is input at 716 in FIG. 7A. This will involve FIGS. 2B and 2I. Referring to FIG. 2B, the exerciser will select the Flex % icon at 240. This will cause the opening of the Flex % drop down menu at 310 in FIG. 2I. Once opened, the exerciser will select the flex percentage that will form the flex % range within which the system and method will capture songs for replay. In this embodiment, after making this selection, the system and method will automatically return the exerciser to the User Information drop down menu at 230 in FIG. 2B.

The next step, according to FIG. 7A, is the calculation of the initial flex % range at 718 for capture of songs for replay. This is done by multiplying the flex percentage selected at step 616 of FIG. 6A times the steps per minute calculated at step 614. An example is according to the following: Flex%×Steps/min.=5%×88Steps/min. =4.4Steps  (3)

After the flex step amount is determined, this amount is added and subtracted from the steps per minute value calculated at step 614 of FIG. 6A. From the calculation at Expression (3), the flex % range is 83.6-92.4 steps. This will be the meter range within which songs will be captured for replay.

According to FIG. 7A, the replay device will now be caused to receive speed change transmissions from the piece of exercise equipment to maintain, for example, a substantially constant cardiac heart rate. Although, the physiological condition that has been described is monitoring the cardiac heart rate, as stated, other physiological characteristics could also be monitored to control the varying speed transmissions that are sent to the replay device and still be within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7B, generally at 730, the Replay portion at 732 of the system and method of the present invention is shown. The replay device will use the user information downloaded from the laptop or desktop, or input to the replay device, to replay songs at the desired initial exercise pace. At 734 of FIG. 7B, the replay device that includes the system and method of the present invention will search for the first song of the song library that has a meter in the flex percentage range. At 736, the system and method of the present invention will adjust the meter of the selected song to the desired exercise pace input by the exerciser unless the exerciser has indicated at FIG. 2I not to adjust the meter of the song. At 738, the replay device will now replay the selected song with the adjusted meter.

Once the song has been played, at 740, the system and method will determine if the song just played was the last in the song library with a meter that was in the flex % range. If the answer is “No,” the system and method will proceed to step 744 where there is a determination of whether the triggering event for starting varying speed operation has taken place. For example, the triggering event may be whether the monitored cardiac heart rate level has reached the goal that is to be maintained, e.g., 129 beats per minute. If the answer is “No,” then the system and method at 746 will repeat steps 734, 736, 738, and 740 until the end of the exercise period or the triggering event takes place. When the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 748.

If at 740, it is the last song of the song library that has a meter within the flex % range during the exercise period but the period is not over, the system and method will proceed to step 742. This will cause the system and method the repeat steps 734, 736, 738, and 740 starting at the beginning of the song library. Again, once the end of the exercise period is reacted, the system and method will move to End at 748.

If at 744, the triggering event has occurred, the system and method of the present invention will proceed to FIG. 7C. Referring to FIG. 7C, generally at 750, varying the pace of song replay during a song while being replayed is shown at 752.

Once the triggering event has occurred, the replay device is enabled to receive and act on the speed transmissions from the piece of exercise equipment. At this time, the replay device will receive the transmissions at 754. It could be continuous but preferably, the transmissions will be acted on a predetermined or predetermined timed basis while song is being replayed. These speed transmissions may be received and acted on according to programming of the replay device. All of these and others are within the scope of the present invention.

An example of the method according to FIG. 7C is demonstrated by the following:

If the speed transmissions indicate that the speed of the treadmill changed from 4 mph to 3.5 mph, the steps/minute will change from 88 steps/min. to 77 steps/min. This is calculated at 756 according to the following: $\begin{matrix} \begin{matrix} {{\left( \frac{\begin{matrix} {{{Speed}({mph})} \times} \\ {{{Time}\left( \min \right)} \times 5280\quad{{ft}.}} \end{matrix}}{60\quad{\min.}} \right) \cdot \left( \frac{1}{\begin{matrix} {{{Time}\left( {\min.} \right)} \times} \\ {{Stride}\left( {{ft}.} \right)} \end{matrix}} \right)} = \frac{18480\quad{{ft}.}}{\begin{matrix} {60\quad{\min.} \times} \\ {4.0\quad{ft}} \end{matrix}}} \\ {= {77\quad{{Steps}/{\min.}}}} \end{matrix} & (3) \end{matrix}$ Where,

-   -   New Speed=3.5 mph.     -   Initial Time=60 minutes.     -   Stride Length=4 feet

At 758, the replay device will then compare the steps/min. calculated at step 714 with the steps/min. calculated at 756. If this number is the same, then the system and method of the present invention will continue to replay the song at the current mete and proceed to step 762 where it is determined if the song has ended. If it has not ended, the system and method will return to step 754 after the predetermined interval. Steps 754, 756, 758, and 760 will be repeated until the song has ended, then the method will be returned FIG. 7B for the selection of the next song.

If at 758, the two values do not match, then the system and method will go to 764 of FIG. 6C. At 764, the replay device will change the operable step/min. value to the value calculated at 756. Then, at 766, the system and method of the present invention will calculate a new flex % range based on the new steps/min. value. The current song will now be played with a meter to match the new pace. If the meter of the song is outside the new flex % range, the song will be played at the meter that is at the boundary of the range closest to the new pace until the end of the song. Then the next song that is selected will be within the new flex % range or the most current range at the end of the song.

Thee terms and expressions that are use herein are meant for description not limitation. It being recognized that there may be minor changes or modifications that must take place and be within the scope of the present invention. 

1. A method for adjusting the meter of music for replay on a music replay device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inputting user information to a calculating subsystem according to the substeps of, (1) inputting user activity speed, (2) inputting activity distance, (3) inputting measured user parameter, (4) inputting user activity time, (5) inputting a meter range percentage, (6) calculating activity pace according to a combination that includes a value input at (a)(3) and at least two values input at substeps (a)(1), (2) or (4), (7) calculating a meter range based on the pace calculated at substep (a)(6) and the meter range percentage input at substep (a)(5); and (b) replaying music on the replay device selected based on the pace calculated at substep (a)(6) according to the substeps of, (1) selecting music from a music storage subsystem for replay that has a predominant meter that is within the meter range calculated at substep (a)(7), (2) adjusting the meter of selected music to substantially match the meter of the activity pace calculated at substep (a)(5); (3) replaying selected music during the activity time at adjusted meter according to substep (b)(2), and (4) replaying selected and adjusted music for the activity time.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calculating subsystem in internal to the replay device.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the calculating subsystem is external to the replay device and includes a computer with the capability of downloading the information input at substeps (a)(1)-(5) and calculated at substeps (a)(6) and (7) to the replay device.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method will select and replay music from the storage subsystem until either the end of the activity time or all of the music in the storage subsystem that meets the requirements of substeps (b)(1)-(3) have been selected once, and if all of such music has been selected before the end of the activity time, repeat selecting music from the storage subsystem until the end of the activity time.
 5. A method for adjusting the meter of music for replay on a music replay device, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inputting user information to a calculating subsystem according to the substeps of, (1) inputting an initial user activity speed, (2) inputting activity distance, (3) inputting measured user parameter, (4) inputting user activity time, (5) inputting a meter range percentage, (6) calculating an initial activity pace according to a combination that includes a value input at (a)(3) and at least two values input at substeps (a)(l), (2) or (4), (7) calculating an initial meter range based on the initial pace calculated at substep (a)(6) and the initial meter range percentage input at substep (a)(5); (b) initially replaying music on the replay device selected based on the initial pace calculated at substep (a)(6) according to the substeps of, (1) selecting music from a music storage subsystem for replay that has a predominant meter that is within the meter range calculated at substep (a)(7), (2) adjusting the meter of selected music to substantially match the meter of the initial activity pace calculated at substep (a)(5); (3) replaying selected music during the activity time at adjusted meter according to substep (b)(2), and (4) replaying selected and adjusted music during the activity time until a triggering condition is met to cause variable control of pace base on measurement of at least one physiological condition of the user, and (c) transmitting a signal indicative of measurement of the physiological condition from a measurement device to an exercise device that is capable of adjusting at least its operation speed to maintain the measured physiological condition at a substantially predetermined level; (d) calculating at the exercise device at the predetermined interval a pace based on the measured physiological condition; (e) transmitting a signal from the exercise device at the predetermined interval to the replay device indicative of the pace calculated at step (d); and (f) replaying music on the replay device selected based on the signal indicative of the pace transmitted at step (e) according to the substeps of, (1) calculating a new meter range based on the pace transmitted at step (e) and the initial meter range percentage input at substep (a)(5); (2) selecting music from a music storage subsystem for replay that has a predominant meter that is within the meter range calculated at substep (f)(1), (3) adjusting the meter of selected music to substantially match the meter of the pace transmitted at step (e), and (4) replaying selected music during the activity time at adjusted meter according to substep (f)(2) or the signal transmitted at step (e) has a pace value different from a pace currently being used to select music for replay, and if the pace is different then repeating substeps (f)(1)-(4) for the new pace.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the calculating subsystem in internal to the replay device.
 7. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the calculating subsystem is external to the replay device and includes a computer with the capability of downloading the information input at substeps (a)(1)-(5) and calculated at substeps (a)(6) and (7) to the replay device.
 8. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the method will select and replay music from the storage subsystem until either the end of the activity time or all of the music in the storage subsystem that meets the requirements of substeps (b)(1)-(3) or (f)(2)-(4) have been selected once, and if all of such music has been selected before the end of the activity time, repeat selecting music from the storage subsystem until the end of the activity time.
 9. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein triggering event includes reaching an exercise goal.
 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the exercise goal includes a predetermined measured physiological condition.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the physiological condition includes the cardiac hear rate. 